Hand-held aerosol device



Jan. 4, 1966 P. H. SAGARIN HAND-HELD AEROSOL DEVICE Original Filed Nov.15. 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 P T m H mm 6 IS A H J O\ U WWW Jan. 4, 1966 rP; H. SAGARIN 3,227,321

HAND-HELD AEROSOL DEVICE Original Filed Nov. 15, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2'IIII,

INVENTOR. Philip H. Saqowm w J w AGENT United States Patent 3,227,321HAND-HELD AEROSOL DEVICE Philip H. Sagariu, Bridgeport, Conn., assignorto Valve Corporation of America, Bridgeport, Conn, a corporation ofDelaware Continuation of application Ser. No. 152,472, Nov. 15, 1961.This application Apr. 21, 1964, Ser. No. 363,056 7 Claims. (Cl. 222-182)This invention relates to aerosol devices, and more particularly tosmall hand-held devices of the type which employ pressurized containers.

The present application is a continuation of my copending applicationSerial No. 152,472, filed November 15, 1961 and entitled Hand-HeldAerosol Device.

Aerosol devices of the kind referred to are also disclosed and claimedin my copending application Serial No. 143,- 165 filed October 5, 1961and entitled Hand-Held Aerosol Device.

An object of the invention is to provide a novel and improvedpressurized device of the kind referred to, which is especially easy andsimple to hold and operate in the proper and required manner, andparticularly with one hand, and to provide in such a device an improvedjumbo, guard-type cap construction which is surprisingly easy tooperate.

This is accomplished, in accordance with the invention, by the provisionof a novel jumbo-size cap structure having an expansive sloping topdepress button surface surrounded by a large-diameter, thin or narrowsloping stationary wall edge of a cap body, enabling the operatingfinger to most easily actuate or depress the button with a simple andnatural movement.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved aerosol deviceas above set forth, which while small enough to be easily andcomfortably 'held, still has a relatively large capacity.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved aerosoldevice in accordance with the foregoing, wherein the cap constructioninvolves relatively small or simple parts and components having a smallactual mass yet presenting a massive, large or jumbo appearance whileretaining functional reliability and operativeness.

A feature of the invention resides in the provision of an aerosol deviceas characterized, which readily lends itself to a fabrication involvingmolded plastic pieces whereby various attractive color combinations,finishes, etc. may be readily and economically obtained.

Another feature of the invention resides in the provision of amulti-part molded plastic cap construction, in an aerosol device asabove set forth, wherein the various components may be assembled to andsecurely retained on the pressurized container by quick, simple assemblyoperations, and wherein thin-walled relatively flexible parts are soconstituted and arranged as to provide stiff ness and mutualreinforcement together with an interlocking detent organization andanchorage which precludes failure, malfunctioning or disassembly of thecap at all times.

An additional object of the invention is to provide, in a pressurizedaerosol device of the kind referred to, a lightweight, thin-walled jumboguard cap construction wherein the cap proper may be easily and quicklyassembled to the container yet will however be securely locked theretoagainst accidental removal, to such an extent that it may be removedonly be splitting or otherwise rupturing or destroying the components.

A further feature of the invention resides in the provision of a novelguard cap and valve actuator button assemblage, wherein the actuatorbutton while freely slidable in the guard cap is securely held captivetherein by a plurality of effective means including an expansive topWall of the cap.

Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the drawings accompanying this specification, similar characters ofreference are used to designate like components throughout the severalviews, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an aerosol device as provided bythe invention, said device being held in the hand in readiness foroperation.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the aerosol device shown in FIG.1.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the aerosol device of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is an axial sectional view, taken on the line 44 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the tubular cap member of the capconstruction of FIGS. 1-4.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary rear elevational view of the cap construction ofthe device of FIGS. 1-5, looking in the direction of the arrow 6 of FIG.1.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary side elevational view of an aerosol deviceillustrating a modified form of cap construction.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary side elevational view of an aerosol deviceillustrating yet another modified form of cap construction.

FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view of a guard cap as provided by theinvention, representing still another embodiment thereof.

FIG. 10 is an axial sectional view of the guard cap shown in FIG. 9,taken on the line 10-10.

FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of the valve actuator button for usewith the guard cap of FIGS. 9 and 10.

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the button of FIG. 11.

Referring first to FIGS. 15, the improved aerosol device of theinvention as illustrated therein comprises a pressurized container 10which is of a size adapted to be conveniently held in the hand with thedispensing end 12 thereof uppermost and adjacent the forefinger. In thisfigure, the forefinger 14 of the hand holding the aerosol device isshown as applied to the top of the cap construction, in readiness fordepressing the valve actuator button. It will be noted that thecontainer 10 is of fairly large diameter while still enabling it to becomfortably held, and that it has appreciable length or height,extending a considerable distance below the hand whereby it may haveappreciable capacity. The diameter of the container 19 is appreciablylarger than the diameter of the cap construction 16 which is disposed onthe dispensing end 12, and such cap construction is also of relativelylarge size, being herein also referred to as a jumbo type cap structure.

By the present invention, in conjunction with the container 10 as abovedescribed there is provided a novel and improved cap construction 16 bywhich the aerosol device is especially easy and simple to hold andoperate with one hand, in the proper and required manner. It will benoted from FIG. 1 that when the container 10 is held in the mannerindicated, the forefinger 14 of the hand extends naturally upward andforward at a small angle, and readily overlies the top surface of thecap construction 16.

Referring to FIG. 3, the said cap construction comprises a jumbo-sizevalve actuator button 18 of relatively large diameter, said buttonhaving a large or expansive, exposed and accessible top surface 20 whichis larger than the ball portion of the average-sized forefinger as shownin FIG. 3, and which slopes downward at about the same angle as theforefinger 14. As seen in FIGS. 1 and 7, the top surface 20 of the valveactuator button 18 is made hollow or concave whereby it has a fingerdepression in it and naturally fits or accommodates the rounded, ballportion of the forefinger 14. Surrounding the actuator button 18 is athin-walled guard cap and guide 24- having a thin wall edge 26 at itstop which generally conforms to and is flush with the peripheralportions of the surface 20 and button 18. As seen in FIG. 4, the cap andguide 24 is generally cylindrical and its upper end is thin walled, withthe top edge 26 roughly disposed in a transverse plane, or more properlyin a cylindrical surface of resolution which is almost flat (having alarge radius) and which extends transversely of the axis of the cap.

The thin nature and small total area of the stationary top edge 26 inconjunction with the overall sloped configuration of the cap top and thelarge or expansive exposed finger engageable area of the movable button18 all contribute in making the present actuator especially andsurpisingly easy to operate, as compared with actuators having flap topsand thick stationary rims at the peripheral portions of said tops. Thusthe above structural details and their cooperable relationship asrevealed in the drawings constitute an important feature of the presentinvention.

The dispensing end 12 of the container is characterized by a slopingannular top shoulder 30 which is roughly in the form of a truncatedcone, and which has substantially a slope of 45 or one-half of 90. Thesloping shoulder 30 is seen to be of appreciable width, and by virtue ofthis characteristic together with the slope, the cap construction 16 isdisposed in a raised position with respect to the upper edge of thecylindrical side walls of the container 10. In other words, the shoulder30 provides a raised mounting for the cap construction 16, as will bereadily appreciated.

I have found that with the above organization and the structure as thusfar described, the operation and use of the aerosol device is madeespecially easy and simple. The valve depress button 18 has a projectingand readily visible orifice member 32 disposed in an elongate opening orslot 34 in the cap proper 24, which in conjunction with the slope of thetop surface 2t) of the button and top edge 26 of the cap provides avirtually foolproof indicator means to apprise a user of the directionof the spray, and as to the method of grasping or orienting the aerosoldevice when it is being used. In conjunction with this, the size of thecontainer 10, which is somewhat tall and not too broad or large indiameter, together with the raised mounting provided by the truncatedconical shoulder 30 and the jumbo-size cap construction 16 with slopingtop, and further including the large or expansive top surface on thedepress button 18 all contribute to provide a single and very importantadvantage and result, that of making the aerosol device especially easyand simple to operate with one hand, and foolproof as well.

It will be readily understood from an inspection of FIG. 1 that theoperating hand has a natural position, and that the forefingers is inthe best possible location to apply operating force to the depressbutton 18. Moreover, the expansive surface as provided on the button 18does not require any special positioning of the forefinger 14, and whilethe top edge 26 of the cap 24 in conjunction with the hollow or concavetop face of the button 18, constitutes an effective guard to preventinadvertent actuation of the button, it does not interfere in the leastwith the finger action required to press the button. The word expansiveis used herein as meaning Wide-extending, being intended to designate arelatively large size, in accordance with one of the dictionarydefinitions of the term. While no single one of the structural featuresset forth above is responsible by itself for the overall operationnoted, each is important in the combination and contributes in animportant manner to provide the desired end result.

As seen in FIG. 4, the push button 18 is carried by a valve stem 36 ofthe type normally provided on valve carrying closures, such as theclosure indicated generally by the numeral 38 in this figure. The pushbutton 18 as well as the cap 24 are preferably formed as molded plasticpieces, and the push button has a hollowed or cored underside, togetherwith a depending hollow boss 40 to accommodate the valve stem 36. Thebutton has a discharge channel illustrated in broken lines at 42, whichcommunicates with the bore of the valve stem 36 and with the bore of theprojecting orifice member 32, all as seen in FIG. 4. Preferably, thevalve button 18 closely slidably fits in the cap member 24, and byvirtue of the orifice member 32 occupying the slot 34 the button is heldcaptive in the cap at all times, and prevented from being dislodged.

In accordance with the present invention, in conjunction with the capconstruction 16 as described above there is further provided a noveldress and reinforcement collar 48 which, in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6,has the shape of a frustum of a cone. The collar 48 may slope at anangle of approximately as shown, and has a lower edge 50 which isdisposed in a deep annular groove 52 at the peripheral portion of theannular top shoulder 30 of the container. The collar 48 preferably alsohas a shoulder 54 arranged to engage the outer top rim of the container,which rim corresponds to the outer peripheral edge of the shoulder 30.

For the purpose of retaining the collar 48 in its operative positionshown, and to enable the reactive force of the collar to compress andmore securely anchor the cap member 24- to the container, said member isprovided with an annular bead or shoulder 56 (hereinafter also termed anexterior shoulder means), which is arranged for engagement with theupper edge 58 of the collar 48. Thus, securement of the cap 24 to thecontainer will result in the collar 48 being held captive in the desiredposition, and if the collar 48 is held under compression in consequenceof continual downward force on it by the cap 24 the said collar will inturn have a reactive force directed in such a manner as to have aninward radial component tending to reduce in diameter or compress thelower edge portion or rim 60 of the cap member 24.

There is also provided by the present invention an improved andeffective detent and anchorage means, by which the tubular cap member 24may be easily and quickly afiixed to the dispensing end 12 of thecontainer, and securely retained thereon. The said detent means operatesin conjunction with an annular shoulder 62 of the valve-carrying closure38, the said shoulder having a fiat undersurface 64 as shown. Forcooperation with the shoulder undersurface 64, the invention providesnovel and effective detent means on the lower edge portion 60 of the capmember 24. The said detent means is characterized by a flat shouldersurface 66 provided on an annular internal detent head 68 constituting aportion of the lower rim of the cap member 24. The detent head 68 has arounded bottom surface which is cooperable with a rounded upper surfaceof the detent shoulder 62 of the closure 38 at the time that the capmember 24 is being applied to the container. The cap member 24 is moldedof a resilient plastic substance such as polyethylene or the likewhereby it may be stretched, within limits, and will return to itsinitial shape. Thus, upon the cap member 24 being applied to thecontainer, a wedging action will occur between the shoulder 62 on thecontainer and the detent means 68 on the cap member, whereby the latterand the lower rim of the cap member will be spread apart momentarily,until the detent bead 6S completely passes the shoulder 62. Thereafter,the flat surfaces 66 and 64 of the bead and shoulder respectively willbe engaged with each other, and by virtue of such surfaces lyingsubstantially in a plane which is at right angles to the axis of the capconstruction, secure retention of the cap member 24 will be had at alltimes. The bottom edge of the body member 24 engages the annular topshoulder 30 of the container, and by the above construction the bodymember is securely afiixed to the container top portion. Further, theaction of the collar 48 is such that at its top it re inforces or backsup the lower portion of the cap member 24, preventing the latter fromspreading easily once it has attained its locking position. The relativedimensions: and sizes are such that the collar 48 is preferably heldunder continual compression, whereby it exerts a reactive force havingan inward, radially'directed component on the lower portion of the capmember 24, thus tending to prevent spreading of such lower portion andresulting in a secure interlocking organization which precludes removalof the cap member under normal circumstance. Such removal may only beeffected by destroying or permanently deforming the cap member, which isunlikely in the normal use of the device. In addition to thereinforcement or stiffening effected by the collar 48, the provision ofthe external shoulder 56 on the lower portion of the cap member 24 alsoresults in a strengthening or stiffening effect, which likewiserestricts expansion or stretching of the lower edge of the cap member,minimizes the likelihood of cracking, and makes the retention still moresecure.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 7. In thisfigure there is provided a cap member 24a and a collar 70 which lattermay, for example, be utilized in place of the frustoconical collar 48 ofFIGS. l-4. The collar 70 has a bulbous configuration, as would beobtained from a section or zone portion of a sphere. Aside from thebulbous shape, the collar 70 functions generally in the same manner asthe collar 48, providing the same advantages.

By virtue of the cap construction being made with the separatecomponent-s comprising the push button 18, the separate cap member 24and the separate collar 48, these pieces when molded of plasticsubstances may have various colors, and the colors may be combined toprovide striking and attractive combinations without involvingcomplicated finishing, spraying or like operations.

Yet another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 8,wherein there is provided a cap member 24b and a collar 72, the latterbeing interchangeable with the collar 48 of FIGS. 1-4. The collar 72 hasthe form of a shallow cup, with a large central circular opening in thatone of the walls which normally is considered as the bottom of the cup.

The collars 70 and 72 engage the cap members 24a and 24b and thecontainers 10a and 10b respectively, and are retained in place in amanner similar to that explained above in connection with FIGS. 1-4.

Another type of cap construction as provided by the invention isillustrated in FIGS. 9, 10 and 11. This cap construction comprises apush button 76 having a central apertured boss 78 adapted to bepress-fitted onto a valve stem such as the stem 36 shown in FIG. 4. Thebutton 76 has an orifice member 80, and differs from the button 18 inhaving a fiat top surface 82 which is normal to the axis of the button,and in having a substantially V-shaped, finger notch or groove 84 formedwith a sloping bottom 86.

Cooperable with the button 76 is a cap member 88 having a transverse topwall 90 and cylindrical side walls 92, the said walls being providedwith a cut-out or notch 94 (see FIGS. 9' and 10) adapted to conform tothe finger notch 84 of the button 76. The cap member 88 has a slot 96 toaccommodate the orifice member 80 of the button, as will be understood.I

In accordance with the invention, the cap member 8 is provided with anovel detent construction comprising a plurality of detent ledges 100which are preferably arranged in pairs. The ledges of each pair aredisposed opposite each other, and have substantially straight inneredges 102 and flat upper surfaces 104, the latter being adapted toengage the fiat undersurface of the container collar, such as theundersurface 64 shown in FIG. 4. By virtue of the detent means being inthe form of individual or separate ledges, there is incorporated moreyieldability resulting in less likelihood of the detents becomingdamaged or permanently distorted during attachment of the cap.Accordingly, an effective retention is had since the-detent ledgesresume their initial shapes when the cap is in place whereby the flatsurfaces 104 are effective to securely lock the cap member 88 to thecontainer.

The cap construction of FIGS. 9-12 has the same advantages as regardsease and simplicity of operation, as the cap construction of FIGS. 14,since there is presented to the forefinger a large formed or concave,finger-engageable surface by the depress button, which enables the saidbutton to be readily actuated.

The aerosol structures as above set forth are seen to be simple andreadily fabricated from molded plastic substance, as by molding insimple molds, and to be easily and quickly assembled. The componentsinteract and cooperate to provide a practical and workable organization,and represent maximum and optimum functional convenience combined witheconomy and low cost. Variations and modifications may be made withinthe scope of the claims, and portions of the improvements may be usedwithout others.

I claim:

1. An actuator for an aerosol dispenser comp-rising, in

combination:

(a) a jumbo size cylindrical valve actuator button disposed with itsaxis vertical, said button being adapted for connection to thedepressible vertical valve stem of a pressurized aerosol container toactuate the same when the button is depressed,

(b) said button having an accessible top surface of substantial slopefor engagement by the forefinger and of an area appreciably larger thanthe ball portion of an average-sized forefinger, and said button havingon its side a discharge orifice disposed and spaced a substantialdistance below the highest edge portion of the button whereby the sprayfrom the orifice issues in a direction beyond the top slope, said sprayat points adjacent the orifice being below the plane of the sloping topsurface of the button,

(c) a guard cap and guide for said button, comprising a thin-walledcylindrical member surrounding and closely fitting the button, the lowerend of said member being adapted for mounting on the pressurizedcontainer and the upper thin-walled end comprising a continuousring-shaped guard means in the form of a sloping narrow edge of smalltotal area, which is normally at all points along its peripherysubstantially flush with adjoining areas of the expansive top surface ofthe button, said top button surface and flush sloping narrow edge beingcharacterized by an overall slope which is sufficient to unmistaka-blyindicate direction by tactual sensation,

(d) said cap member having a fully exposed and accessible essentiallycylindrical exterior which is only slightly larger in diameter than thebutton whereby the latter constitutes essentially the entire effectivetop surface of the assemblage of button and cap, said cap providing forfree access to the top sloping surface of the button whereby theforefinger of the hand may extend in a natural, angularly disposedforceapplying manner over the button to easily depress the same while atother times the said sloping narrow top of the cap at all points guardsthe button against accidental operation.

2. An aerosol dispenser as in claim 1, wherein:

(a) the top expansive surface of the button has a finger depression init, the width of said depression being at least as great as the width ofan average-sized forefinger,

(b) said flush sloping narrow edge of the cap conforming in contour tothe finger depression of the button to supplement the tactual sensationof the actuator to the user.

3. An aerosol dispenser comprising, in combination:

(a) a container having an annular top shoulder of appreciable width,surrounding a valve-carrying closure,

(b) a guard cap and guide for a valve button, comprising a tubularmember affixed to the container and disposed within the said annular topshoulder,

(c) said tubular member having a lower rim engaged with the container,

(d) an annular generally cup-shaped collar extending around and engagedwith the lower edge of said tubular member, said collar overlying andengaging the top shoulder of the container and being also positioned bysaid cap whereby it is held captive between the cap and container,

(e) said container having a detent shoulder disposed Within the tubularmember,

(f) the lower rim of the tubular member having detent ledge meansengaged with the detent shoulder of the container to retain the cap inplace, and

g) the said collar constituting an outer stiffening means for thetubular member, to more securely hold the detent ledge means againstdisplacement and thus more securely retain the cap in place.

4. A dispenser as in claim 3, wherein:

(a) the collar is under continual compression due to force exerted on itby the tubular member,

(b) the collar is generally frusto-conical in configuration and as aconsequence of the compression experienced by it, the collar provides areactive force on the tubular member which tends to cause the low er rimto more tightly engage the detent shoulder of the container.

5. A dispenser as in claim 4, wherein:

(a) the annular top shoulder of the container has an annular, deepperipheral groove in which the lower edge of the collar is disposed.

6. A dispenser as in claim 5, wherein:

(a) the tubular member is cylindrical and has thin side Wall, a thin topedge and a thin lower rim.

7. A dispenser as in claim 3, wherein:

(a) the exterior shoulder means comprises a continuous circularreinforcement and stitfening bead, and

(b) the said collar constitutes an outer stiffening means for thetubular member, said reinforcement and stiffening means tending to moresecurely hold the detent ledge means against displacement and thus moresecurely retain the cap in place.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,658,714 11/1953 Fooshee. 2,761,594 9/1956 Stroh. 2,781,950 2/ 1957 Pritchard222-394 3,006,510 10/1961 Sagarin 222-182 3,038,633 6/1962 Foster 222182X 3,058,626 10/ 1962 Hibbs et al 222182 3,075,673 1/ 1963 Fredette222394 X 3,104,034 9/1963 Sagarin et al 222182 3,107,033 10/1963 Sanborn222182 X FOREIGN PATENTS 588,703 12/1959 Canada.

RAPHAEL M. LUPO, Primary Examiner.

1. AN ACTUATOR FOR AN AEROSOL DISPENSER COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION: (A)A JUMBO SIZE CYLINDRICAL VALVE ACTUATOR BUTTON DISPOSED WITH ITS AXISVERTICAL, SAID BUTTOM BEING ADAPTED FOR CONNECTION TO THE DEPRESSIBLEVERTICAL VALVE STEM OF A PRESSURIZED AEROSOL CONTAINER TO ACTUATE THESAME WHEN THE BUTTON IS DEPRESSED, (B) SAID BUTTON HAVING AN ACCESSIBLETOP SURFACE OF SUBSTANTIAL SLOPE FOR ENGAGEMENT BY THE FOREFINGER AND OFAN AREA APPRECIABLY LARGER THAN THE BALL PORTION OF AN AVERAGE-SIZEDFOREFINGER, AND SAID BUTTON HAVING ON ITS SIDE A DISCHARGE ORIFICEDISPOSED AND SPACED A SUBSTANTIAL DISTANCE BELOW THE HIGHEST EDGEPORTION OF THE BUTTON WHEREBY THE SPRAY FROM THE ORIFICE ISSUES IN ADIRECTION BEYOND THE TOP SLOPE, SAID SPRAY AT POINTS ADJACENT THEORIFICE BEING BELOW THE PLANE OF THE SLOPING TOP SURFACE OF THE BUTTON,(C) A GUARD CAP AND GUIDE FOR SAID BUTTON, COMPRISING A THIN-WALLEDCYLINDRICAL MEMBER SURROUNDING AND CLOSELY FITTING THE BUTTON, THE LOWEREND OF SAID MEMBER BEING ADAPTED FOR MOUNTING ON THE PRESSURIZEDCONTAINER AND THE UPPER THIN-WALLED END COMPRISING A CONTINUOUSRING-SHAPED GUARD MEANS IN THE FORM OF A SLOPING NARROW EDGE OF SMALLTOTAL AREA, WHICH IS NORMALLY AT ALL POINTS ALONG ITS PERIPHERYSUBSTANTIALLY FLUSH WITH ADJOINING AREAS OF THE EXPANSIVE TOP SURFACE OFTHE BUTTON, SAID TOP BUTTON SURFACE AND FLUSH SLOPING NARROW EDGE BEINGCHARACTERIZED BY AN OVERALL SLOPE WHICH IS SUFFICIENT TO UNMISTAKABLYINDICATE DIRECTION BY TACTUAL SENSATION, (D) SAID CAP MEMBER HAVING AFULLY EXPOSED AND ACCESSIBLE ESSENTIALLY CYLINDRICAL EXTERIOR WHICH ISONLY SLIGHTLY LARGER IN DIAMETER THAN THE BUTTON WHEREBY THE LATTERCONSTITUTES ESSENTIALLY THE ENTIRE EFFECTIVE TOP SURFACE OF THEASSEMBLAGE OF BUTTON AND CAP, SAID CAP PROVIDING FOR FREE ACCESS TO THETOP SLOPING SURFACE OF THE BUTTON WHEREBY THE FOREFINGER OF THE HAND MAYEXTEND IN A NATURAL, ANGULARLY DISPOSED FORCEAPPLYING MANNER OVER THEBUTTON TO EASILY DEPRESS THE SAME WHILE AT OTHER TIMES THE SAID SLOPINGNARROW TOP OF THE CAP AT ALL POINTS GUARDS THE BUTTON AGAINST ACCIDENTALOPERATION.